Artisan Soap Collection

handcrafted

ARTISAN SOAP

Luxurious handcrafted soaps with expertly formulated ingredients for a diverse range of skin types. We are a vegan & cruelty-free brand with total control over the quality and ingredients in our products. Check out everything from our soaps to beard care and home care.

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simply pamper

simply pamper

simply pamper

  • QUALITY INGREDIENTS

    We believe in the quality of our products! Our team selects only the kinds of ingredients which we are comfortable putting on our skin, or on the skin of our children. You can trust in the purity of our lines.

  • MADE BY HAND

    To ensure the consistency of our Artisan Soaps, our team creates small-batch products, all made by hand. The Sweet Abode Artisan Soap Company is family-owned and is proud to be a small business.

  • COMMITTED TO YOU

    Our customers are like our family. We care about your needs, preferences, and ‘off-the-wall’ ideas. Please share your feedback and thoughts with our team so we can continue to serve you as well as possible.

meet claudia

THE ASHEVILLE SOAP LADY

Hi there, I'm Claudia DeFouw. I'm known as the Asheville Soap Lady. I am the Found and Owner of Sweet Abode Artisan Soap in Asheville, North Carolina, a business dedicated to providing the finest handcrafted soaps, amenities and self care products to pamper your skin, home and bath.

My passion for handcrafted soap began with my first purchase of a bar of french milled soap. Its alluring fragrance, and the luxurious feeling between my hands made it an instant self-care staple for me. On my mission to find the best handcrafted soap available, I was disappointed with the ingredients found in most brands. That's when I decided to create my own handcrafted soaps using only the finest eco-friendly and plant-based ingredients.

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"Claudia led an intro class for our team retreat. We created a beautiful layered soap. Class was informative and engaging - all enjoyed!"

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"Claudia is truly a soap making genius! I had the pleasure of trying several of Sweet Abode's products, and I completely fell in love. All of their scents are lovely, and come in so many clever and useful applications."

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"I have had the pleasure of using Claudia's soaps and oils, and she has such a talent for balancing such beautiful fragrances! I recommend her products, and they would make great locally sourced-gifts. I also hope to attend one of her in-person workshops one day!"

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"Claudia’s products are exceptional. The scents are soft and subtle, but very soothing . They work on your brain as much as your body. The ingredients are pristine, helping my skin to stay healthy!"

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"Sweet Abode Artisan Soap's products are colorful, clean, natural, and smell amazing. You can feel the homemade nature of the products. Claudia truly is the Asheville Soap Lady. You need to try her products."

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"I am quite capable of “abusing” my hands. That said, my hands love it when they get treated to the Messy Hands Scrub and Soap. So soothing! The body cream is also amazing: very smooth and natural. My skin does not feel like it has been doused in chemicals. My skin thanks you for the delicious products!"

HAVE QUESTIONS? I'VE GOT ANSWERS!

What makes Sweet Abode soaps different from commercial soaps?

Our artisan soaps are handcrafted in small batches using traditional cold-process methods. We use only plant-based, vegan ingredients with no animal products or testing. Unlike commercial soaps that often contain harsh detergents and synthetic ingredients, our soaps retain natural glycerin that moisturizes your skin while cleansing gently.

Are all your products vegan and cruelty-free?

Yes! Every product we create is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. We never use animal-derived ingredients like tallow, lard, milk, honey, or beeswax. We're committed to creating beautiful, effective products without harming animals.

What ingredients do you use in your soaps?

We carefully select plant-based oils and butters including olive oil, coconut oil, sustainable palm oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter. Our soaps are scented with essential oils and phthalate-free fragrances, and colored with natural clays, botanicals, and skin-safe micas. We never use parabens, sulfates, or synthetic detergents.

Do you offer soapmaking classes?

Yes! We offer hands-on soapmaking classes where you'll learn the art of cold-process soapmaking. In our workshops, you'll learn about safety procedures, ingredient selection, the saponification process, and take home your own handmade soaps. Classes are suitable for beginners and those looking to refine their skills.

What about lotion making classes?

Our lotion making workshops teach you how to create natural, vegan body lotions from scratch. You'll learn about emulsification, preservative systems, and how to customize formulations for different skin types. Each participant leaves with their own handcrafted lotions and the knowledge to continue creating at home.

Do you offer soapmaking events for camps and retreats?

Absolutely! We love bringing the art of soapmaking to camps and retreats. Our mobile workshops can accommodate groups of various sizes and ages (minimum age restrictions apply). It's a creative, engaging activity that participants love, and everyone goes home with their own handmade soap.

What makes your packaging eco-friendly?

We're committed to minimal, sustainable packaging. Our soaps come in recycled cardboard boxes, while our other products are packaged in reusable glass jars and aluminum containers. We avoid plastic whenever possible and use biodegradable labels and vegetable-based inks.

Can I recycle or reuse your packaging?

Absolutely! Our cardboard boxes can go straight into your recycling bin. Glass jars can be recycled or repurposed for storage, crafts, or refills. Aluminum containers are infinitely recyclable. We encourage customers to get creative with reusing our containers!

How long do your soaps last?

With proper care, our soap bars typically last 4-6 weeks with daily use. To extend their life, keep them dry between uses on a well-draining soap dish. Our soaps are cured for 4-6 weeks before sale, ensuring a hard, long-lasting bar.

Are your products safe for sensitive skin?

Many customers with sensitive skin love our products, especially our unscented varieties. However, everyone's skin is unique. We recommend patch testing any new product and checking our ingredient lists carefully. If you have specific concerns, please consult with your dermatologist.